Russian submarines vanish from Black Sea: Ukrainian Navy explains rising risks
Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for Ukrainian Navy (photo: facebook.com/Taclbery)
Russian submarines have almost disappeared from Black Sea waters, although they were the main carriers of cruise missiles. Previously, Russian forces actively used them for strikes against Ukraine, but now this poses a significant risk, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said.
As Pletenchuk said, over the past two years, Russia has relied specifically on its submarine fleet. The key advantage of submarines was their stealth — they could quietly go out to sea and carry out missile strikes.
However, recently, the activity of Russian submarines has significantly decreased due to the complexity of their operation.
The Navy spokesperson explained that submarines require regular technical maintenance in docks or at piers, which makes them vulnerable to strikes.
It was during such a stay that Russia lost in Crimea a Project 636 Varshavyanka submarine — Rostov-on-Don — which was destroyed by Ukrainian aviation. Another similar submarine was lost in Novorossiysk.
"A submarine is a complex mechanism that requires proper operating and maintenance conditions. And any maintenance now is a risk," the spokesperson noted.
At present, only two submarines capable of carrying cruise missiles remain in the composition of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. A third submarine — of the Paltus project — is not adapted to use Kalibr missiles.
"Accordingly, they have to preserve this resource. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the pace of operation of these carriers has decreased. But this may be only one of the reasons," Pletenchuk added.
At the same time, according to him, five surface carriers of Kalibr missiles remain in service: three small missile ships of the Buyan project with eight launchers each, as well as the frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov. It is these vessels that Russia is now more often using for missile attacks.
Strikes on Russian submarines
In December last year, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first recorded case in history of a drone strike on a submarine.
Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said that preparation for striking the Russian Varshavyanka submarine in the port of Novorossiysk was complex and multi-layered.
He also reported that despite all measures, the port in Novorossiysk remains a dangerous location for Russian ships, as Ukrainian forces can reach them there.
The Navy also said that Russia launches Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea in limited numbers due to technical difficulties and unfavorable weather conditions. The effectiveness of these missiles has decreased compared to the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Pletenchuk also said that striking Russian ships directly before the launch of sea-based Kalibr missiles is a very difficult task, as it involves only a few hours.
